FitAir: Health & Well-Breathing

Is Your Air Fit To Breathe?

You may have heard the government is facing fines of up to £300 million a year for breaching EU air pollution regulations - but did you know the official number of early deaths caused by poor air quality in the UK is now at 29,000 a year? That's more than obesity and alcohol combined.

It's a horrible fact, but these days indoor air quality can be even worse than outside! We try to keep our buildings air-tight and energy efficient, but poor ventilation is making our homes stagnant and filled with pollutants.

Whether you're in the office, at home, school, or travelling - chances are like the rest of the population, you'll be spending about 90% of your time indoors. However, with a quarter of buildings in England now having a Category 1 Health Hazard, you may be surprised to find out exactly what is in your air.

Let's take a walk through the average household and see what some of the biggest contributors to pollution are in your home.

Overview

VOCs

Did you know that almost every odour is caused by a VOC (volatile organic compound)? Your sense of smell is the effect of inhaling tiny molecules which bind to the little hairs in your nasal passage and trigger neurons to perceive a scent.

Unfortunately VOCs are also among the smallest and most damaging of indoor pollutants and can stay suspended in air for long periods of time. While larger airborne particles get caught in our nose and throat - where we cough or swallow to remove them - 99% of VOCs are ultra-fine or 'respirable' particles. This means they are small enough to be inhaled, and become embedded in the lungs or absorbed into the blood stream.

Radon

Every building contains radon; high levels of radon can cause lung cancer, particularly for smokers and ex-smokers. Radon produces tiny radioactive particles in the air we breathe.

Bioaerosols

Biological air pollutants (or bioaerosols) are small living organisms and fragments of living things that are suspended in air. These can trigger illness and allergies when inhaled, or cause irritation when they come into contact with your skin. As they're difficult or impossible to spot with the naked eye, you may not realise how many are present within your breathing space - but you'll find a miniature ecosystem at work within even the cleanest of homes!

The main offenders...

Dust mites

Soft furnishings like carpets, bedding and curtains are usually home to dust mites which thrive in warm, humid conditions. Unfortunately, you aren't likely to get rid of these allergy-causing creatures over-night; the average adult sheds around 1.5 grams of skin cells every day and that's enough to feed over a million dust mites!

Up to a third of your pillow's weight could be made up of dust mites and their bodily by-products - and if the thought of them living on your pillow makes you sick - you're not alone. Approximately 10% of people in the UK are hypersensitive to dust mite allergens, and while they don't bite or sting, their faeces and carcasses contain a harmful protein that triggers reactions and other respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

Skin cells and pet dander

As well as feeding microscopic creepy crawlies, organic detritus (flakes of human and animal skin) can cause irritation to people with allergies. As they're so tiny, skin cells quickly become airborne and will stay suspended for long periods of time. Pet dander is commonplace in homes that haven't even been occupied by animals as it's easily carried on people's clothing.

The protein within dog and cat allergens can also be found in their saliva, sweat and urine, which becomes airborne once dried. In shared accommodation or urban areas, this is also typical with mice and rats. As transmitters of disease however, these can make you extremely sick, even if you don’t have a sensitive immune system.

Pollen

If you suffer from seasonal allergies which flare up on days with a high pollen count - locking yourself indoors won't solve the problem! Because air conditioning systems recycle outside air, allergies can be aggravated even if you're travelling or spending time in large buildings or offices. At home, pollen is easily carried indoors by pets, shoes and clothing, or simply through open windows and doors. Once blown inside there's a much higher concentration of these little grains which lead to hay fever, asthma and rhinitis symptoms. Seasonal allergies can develop at any age!

Viruses and bacteria

Most people and things entering your home are Trojan Horses for a variety of dangerous microbes! Soil carries endotoxins which become airborne after mopping and cleaning; people love to spread infections through coughing and sneezing; and every toilet flush sprays a bacterial mist into your bathroom that stays suspended for hours. Warm conditions and the presence of food and waste help these organisms thrive, and the more stagnant the air is, the more likely diseases are to spread.

Mould

It's not just insects that love warm, humid climates; mould and mildew thrive in these environments, causing musty odours and even symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome. Moisture levels can accumulate in buildings from water damage, drying wet laundry indoors, and poorly ventilated bathrooms and kitchens. Condensation on windows is a warning sign of high humidity.

Mould can lead to respiratory and skin irritation caused by spores or the ingestion and inhalation of toxic compounds produced by black mould. Today about 15% of new childhood asthma in Europe can be attributed to indoor mould exposure.

Gases

One of the biggest contributors to UK air pollution is nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - produced by diesel cars and power stations. These so-called NOx emissions are linked to a range of respiratory ailments and chronic diseases. Cooking on a gas hob also releases this toxic gas - along with acrolein, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Other sources of indoor 'off-gassing' include open fires, exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, ovens, boilers and fuel tanks.

We've all heard about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, but when small quantities seep inside poorly ventilated buildings, they can build up and lead to long term health effects.

Your Air: Your Health

As we inhale and exhale approximately 20,000 times a day, this potent mixture of airborne pollutants is able to infiltrate our body and affect our health. By failing to clean our air we're breathing in a chemical stew of contaminants which can lead to long term complications.

If you suffer from asthma, allergies, fatigue or headaches during or after being inside a specific building, it may be due to poor indoor air quality. Building-related illness is often described as Sick Building Syndrome; a condition triggered by your living environment which can worsen the longer you stay there.

Have you set your health bar lower because feeling constantly ill is the norm?

Over half of people in the UK suffer from allergies, but Sick Building Syndrome can affect anyone. Very young children and the elderly are especially at risk as they have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to complications like bronchial infections and even pneumonia.

Other side effects include nausea, poor concentration, struggling to keep up with work, skin rashes and dermatitis, frequent infections and colds, depression and other mental health problems. It's important to understand how unhealthy air can harm you - just because you can't see the problem - it doesn't mean it's not there.

Now You Know What's There - It's Time To Clean Your Air!

We all want to protect ourselves and those we care for, but some things we're told about reducing air pollution seem to take a lot of effort without the best results! Lifestyle choices are important to us and it's not always appropriate or possible to make drastic changes to our living spaces - especially at work and school, in public buildings or when traveling. Thanks to FitAir, creating a clean and fresh 'airvironment' wherever you are, doesn't have to be hard work! With a wide range of personal purifiers to suit everyone, there's a FitAir for you too!

What is FitAir?

FitAir is a range of air purifiers designed to safely and efficiently clean your indoor air. They use negative ion technology to sanitise, deodorise and energise your living spaces - leaving behind air so fresh, you can breathe easy! Whether it's at home, in the office, or even hospitals, restaurants and salons - there's a FitAir purifier that's perfect for every situation!

How does FitAit work?

Have you ever noticed how crisp the atmosphere is after a thunderstorm? Well FitAir's technology cleans your air the same way nature does; by releasing negatively charged ions which destroy airborne pollutants. Negative ions are some of nature's purest and most transformative germicides - in fact, FitAir's bactericidal technology is so effective that it sterilises 99.99% of airborne bacteria after just half an hour's use. Remember the invigorating feeling you get when you're high on a mountain, nearby a waterfall or in a forest? These are places that are naturally rich in negatively charged ions, which can improve your mood, reduce stress and help with breathing.

How negative ionisation works

After your indoor air has been cleaned of harmful pollutants, all that's left behind is a microclimate rich in active oxygen molecules! Because FitAir relies on nature’s own methods of purification, there's no lingering artificial scents; just the crisp smell of fresh, breathable air. Discreet, energy efficient and easy-to-use, FitAir does the hard work so you don't have to. Cleaning your air really doesn't need to be complicated, so while we're at it, let's dispel some of the myths about getting rid of indoor air pollution once and for all!

FitAir In Your Home

In the Lounge

The average family spends 4 hours watching TV every day, and with most of us now multi-tasking on smartphones and tablets the amount of electronic VOCs being emitted in family rooms is increasing. Living rooms also tend to be the busiest and most oxygen depleted spaces in the house; gas seeping from central heating or fireplaces, the use of scented candles and air fresheners and lots of people all in one place means pollutants can build up rapidly.

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Halo

FitAir Apollo

In the Kitchen

Unpleasant fridge odours from strong-smelling or decomposing food can be reabsorbed by other products, affecting their taste and how quickly they spoil. Mould also becomes airborne when there’s no room left for new spores to form, meaning that rotting piece of fruit or veg can contaminate your whole fridge. The same goes for bacteria breeding and emitting odours from your bin and kitchen sink. Keeping surfaces clean helps, but disinfectants and bleaches all emit potent chemical VOCs into the air which are damaging when inhaled.
61% of UK households use gas cookers, yet a recent study found that babies born to mothers who used gas cookers whilst pregnant scored 3.1% lower on intelligence tests aged two than those whose families did not cook with gas.

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Oxy

FitAir Aurora

In the Bathroom

It’s not just foul odours; bacteria and viruses from toilet waste can remain airborne for hours after flushing. Shower heads and curtains also harbour dangerous microbes that are easily inhaled as they become suspend in air as water droplets. Humid environments trigger mould growth – be careful - condensation on windows is a warning sign.

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Oxy

FitAir Genie

Coming Soon

In the Bedroom

Dry cleaned clothes and moth-balls inside wardrobes and drawers mean chemicals can build up quickly in small concentrated spaces. You’re also likely to use cosmetic aerosols like hairsprays, perfumes and deodorants when in your bedroom which contribute to this chemical stew. Dust mites are a problem in bedrooms as they thrive on bedding and soft furnishings like carpets and curtains; their faeces and carcasses are light enough to become airborne where they can trigger allergic reactions and asthma.

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Genie

Coming Soon

FitAir Aurora

In the Nursery

Removing airborne viruses before they are inhaled is a crucial step to reducing your baby’s overall exposure to germs. Ensuring surfaces in the nursery are clean helps control the spread of infections, but doesn’t prevent what’s already in the air. As well as bacteria, lingering nappy odours and dust mite allergens (which could be all over your baby’s toys and bedding) are regularly found in stuffy nursery air. Exposure to indoor allergens such as house dust mites in infancy is a strong risk factor for sensitisation and the development of asthma later in life.

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Aurora

FitAir Oxy

In the Porch or Hallway

Thoroughfares for mud, bacteria, pet dander and pollen, your porches and hallways are highways for allergens and pollutants. They’re also home to bad odours that accumulate from smelly shoes and bags; while the easy solution is to use a plug-in air freshener, this only masks airborne contaminants in more dangerous chemicals! You walk past these spaces everyday – don’t neglect them!

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Aurora

FitAir Genie

Coming Soon

In the Utility Room

Not only do washing machines and tumble dryers emit more than 25 VOCs per load, but scented detergents often contain strong chemical compounds that become airborne once clothes are dry. Airing damp laundry indoors also encourages mould growth whilst clothes washed at low temperatures can release bacteria that easily survive the cleaning process. You may find that your utility room or loft has exposed structural components which off-gas chemicals used during manufacture.

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Halo

FitAir Genie

Coming Soon

In the Garage

Garage household chemicals are often the most flammable, toxic, and environmentally hazardous sources in the home. Even if you don’t keep your car in the garage, there are still plenty of VOCs to be found in paints, thinners, varnishes and gardening chemicals like pesticides and weed killers. Machinery that requires fuel like the barbeque grill and lawnmower also release exhaust fumes.

We recommend any of these FitAir units:

FitAir Apollo

FitAir Aurora

For You...

So that's the indoor air pollution and bacteria eliminated from your home... but what about other places you and your family spend time; your workplace, school and university, public transport, hotels and holiday homes, public toilets, doctor's surgeries and hospitals. The more you think about pollution indoors and out, we could all do with a protective shield from the harmful particles which inhabit the air we breathe. FitAir can provide you with just that;

Your protective shield - the personal air purifier:

FitAir Zana

Why The Quick Fix Won't Work; 6 myths about cleaning your air

1

The Myth: Open more windows

Whilst opening windows can help improve ventilation, a lot of indoor pollutants start life outside. It's not just busy cities that pose a risk; wherever you live, you'll find airborne remnants of industrial emissions, exhaust fumes, second-hand smoke, viruses and bacteria - all of which can sneak in through open windows and doors. There's no need to hermetically seal your house, but it's not always convenient to leave windows open; when the weather's cold it doesn't help heating costs, and when you're going out it can advertise to thieves.

The FitAir Solution

Say goodbye to stuffy, polluted buildings and hello to fresh air - any time of year. In the summer when you need a cool breeze, but don't fancy inviting smog or pollen indoors, FitAir invisibly screens windows, to let oxygen in and keep nasties out! In winter when you want to keep cosy, without mould problems and noxious gases building up from your boiler or fireplace - FitAir will keep your home warm and ventilated. Thanks to their energy efficient design, these purifiers will work day and night to clean your air and still save you money on energy bills!

2

The Myth: Install air conditioners and filters

Asides from contributing to Sick Building Syndrome, air conditioners are noisy, transmit infectious diseases, exacerbate skin, eye and respiratory ailments, cost a lot to run and maintain and are BAD for the environment. If that wasn't enough, most HVAC systems can only filter what goes directly through them; in other words, they don't target the whole room. Ventilation in offices and public transport use air from outside and cycle it throughout the entire building or vehicle. Unfortunately these filters can't stop the smallest, most damaging particles from seeping through their vent systems; this means you end up breathing in stagnant, recycled, and pollutant-filled air wherever you are indoors!

The FitAir Solution

FitAir actively sanitises your living space by targeting airborne pollutants - however small they are. Because its ionisation technology works on a molecular scale, you don't have to worry about tiny particles left floating around. Even if they settle as dust, FitAir will have already inactivated harmful microbes - meaning you won't catch anyone else's cold - whether it's from the girl in the next office or the guy in your train carriage! It's so effective in fact, that the same negative ionisation has been used to kill influenza and 'acinetobacter' in UK intensive care wards. According to microbiologists about 15% of hospital infections are estimated to be airborne; FitAir can stop respiratory illnesses from spreading, and won't trigger asthma or skin irritation like air conditioners do.

3

The Myth: Clean more often

Cleaning your home more often than necessary still won't keep your indoor air irritant-free! That's because pollutants can stay suspended in air for long periods of time; they don't immediately settle on surfaces. Excessive cleaning can actually worsen the problem as most disinfectants and detergents contain high levels of VOCs which contribute toward the toxic chemical stew found in the average, clean home. Unfortunately, buying 'green' doesn't always help either; whilst the sales of eco-friendly cleaners have skyrocketed by 35% in the last 3 years, manufacturers can still use lethal compounds in their products due to loose regulation around terms like 'green' or 'natural'.

The FitAir Solution

When you first start using FitAir you may notice an increase in dust gathering on indoor surfaces - don't worry! This is a sign your unit is working. Negative ionisation works by making tiny airborne particles cluster together until they are heavy enough to drop out of the air - instead of staying suspended where they can be inhaled. After regular usage you'll actually find that dusting and other jobs are reduced - that's because there are no longer any contaminants in the air left to settle! Not only does FitAir technology remove VOCs from your breathing space (so you can still use your favourite cleaners), it helps you use less products, because your home will stay cleaner for longer.

4

The Myth: Put pets outside

Pet dander is very lightweight and microscopically small; because of its jagged shape it can easily stick to furniture, bedding and other items carried regularly in and out of the house (like clothing and footwear). This means it's usually present in homes and buildings that don't even have animals in. Keeping your pet outdoors won't completely stop the spread of skin and hair into your house, and the RSPCA actually advise against it. Domestic animals can become stressed or anxious when left isolated for long periods of time, and those kept outside are more likely to develop behavioural problems.

The FitAir Solution

FitAir's technology is able to destroy the active protein that's present within pet allergens, and prevent dander from triggering allergic reactions. It also pulls loose hair and skin flakes out of the air, making it much easier for you to vacuum after your pet. Another upside for animal lovers? FitAir can improve your pet's health and breathing by reducing the amount of toxins that build up in carpets and fabrics. If your allergies are becoming unmanageable, don't panic - there's no need to put your pet outside - or even worse, give them away. With FitAir you can keep your kitties and canines content, and all without having to buy antihistamines!

5

The Myth: Wash or remove carpets, rugs and bedding

Washing or removing places where dust mites and viruses like to hang out can help get rid of them - but only temporarily. Anyone who's tried, knows that cleaning carpets, duvets and pillows is time consuming and awkward. It also involves using VOC-rich products, electronics and pesticides; all of which can further contribute to indoor air problems. If you use an energy efficient cycle and wash at 30°C you're unlikely to destroy any harmful bacteria at all - in fact the average washing machine contains over 100 million E.coli bugs at any one time! Resilient viruses, insects and spores that survive on apparently 'clean' fabrics can quickly become airborne again.

The FitAir Solution

As with all pests, the best thing to do is cut off their food supply or make their environment inhospitable. FitAir does this by removing pet dander and other organic materials that dust mites thrive on. Instead of the laboriously futile task of washing away unwanted creepy-crawlies, FitAir allows you to get rid of them for good; simply and effectively.

6

The Myth: Use air fresheners to remove odours

Many people attempt to freshen stagnant air by using scented aerosols, plug-ins and candles - but despite their name, air fresheners do little or nothing to freshen your home. They work by either killing your ability to smell through nerve-deadening chemicals; coating your nasal passages with an oily film; or masking one aroma with a stronger one. In most case they simply re-odourise, but don't de-odourise! Artificial fragrances are dangerous too: 86% of air fresheners tested by the NRDC (Natural Resources Defence Council) were found to contain phthalates; these are chemicals that can cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems among other disorders. Even those marketed as 'all-natural' and 'unscented' contained allergens, VOCs and cancer-causing chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde.

The FitAir Solution

Being exposed to air freshening chemicals as little as once a week can increase your odds of developing asthma by 71%. Not only are you putting yourself and others at risk by using these artificial fragrances, you can do all the things they claim to do by dealing with the root cause of the problem. FitAir doesn't cover up bad odours; it eliminates them by destroying the volatile compounds that produce odours in the first place. There's a reason our sense of smell has evolved for us to turn our noses up at putrid stenches - it's a warning sign these things are poisonous to us. FitAir purifiers have been designed, not just to remove odours from rotting food, mould growth and toilet waste - but to sterilise 99.99% of the bacteria that causes them.

What Our Customers Say

Product: Halo

“I absolutely adore my cat so I put up with all the symptoms of pet allergies until I came across FitAir. As soon as you turn it on you can smell how fresh it is – it’s hard to describe – my husband says it smells ‘crisp’. Now my allergies are gone and I have bags more energy thanks to getting a better night’s sleep.”

Jenny Banks, Maidstone

Product: Zana

“This piece of kit is great, I use it in the car when we go on family trips and my wife says it helps with her hay fever symptoms – she’s been borrowing mine but I think we’ll have to buy a second one because I want mine back!”

Mark, Braintree

Product: Apollo

“I bought an Apollo for my salon because it really suits our style and looks a lot more expensive than it is. Since I’ve been using it I feel so much more alert and find strong chemical smells disappear really quickly. I think my staff seem to be more productive too. It truly has been life-changing.”

Becky H, Crewe

Product: Halo

“After my first week in the halls of residence at university I noticed a rash on the back of my thighs. I was put on steroids for 6 weeks, but as soon as they’d finished the hives came back! My step mum bought me the Halo and within days the rash had more or less disappeared.”

Faye, Glamorgan

Product: Genie

“We keep our trainers and the boys’ football boots in the stinky cupboard under the stairs so it usually smells of sweat and dried mud. Within a day of using Genie it had completely gone! Overall brilliant little gadget I’ve recommended to all my friends!”

Megan T, Leicester

Product: Aurora

“‘My home captures and keeps hold of food smells which linger for days. Especially things like fish, garlic and onion. I would certainly recommend this product because I can see it working in every room and it means I no longer have to buy plugin refills. I will be going back to buy the Genie to put in with my clothes as well.”

Mrs Gladstone, St Albans

Product: Aurora

“We have triplets that are all still in nappies so as you can imagine our home didn’t have the most pleasant of smells! I’ve plugged the Aurora in their room and I keep it on a low setting, day and night. It’s got rid of the nappy smell and they seem to be sleeping more soundly. It also works as a night light so I can check on them without waking anyone up!”

Trisha and Jonathan, Rotherham

Product: Halo

“My Halo arrived quickly, it was well-packaged and the instructions were very easy to use. I opened it just after we’d eaten dinner and turned it on – I went upstairs to get ready for work and when I returned downstairs after around 20 minutes I noticed that the smell from our fajitas had completely vanished! Love it!”

Natasha, Ivybridge

Product: Oxy

“I’m really pleased with the results so far, my fruit and veg have lasted much longer than expected and there are no strange smells when I open the fridge door. Fab little product”

Simon D, Watford

Product: Aurora

“Bye-bye doggy smells and hello mountain fresh air! I recommend everyone adopt a FitAir Family Member, even if you don’t have pets. You will definitely notice a difference in your indoor air quality!”